The following is an excerpt from a press release distributed by Occupy JRC:

Occupy JRC is taking this opportunity to put out their next call to action. Citizens of America, we are calling upon you to gather your strength and join us in Albany, New York on Thursday, August 9th. We will gather on the Capitol grounds from 12pm to 4pm for a peaceful protest and rally. There, we will demand that New York cease sending students over state lines to a school that abuses the children it claims to serve. Without New York State funds, JRC will be seriously impaired and potentially irrevocably crippled. Occupy JRC will not be stopped or discouraged until this practice has met its final end.

On June 28th, the Massachusetts joint conference committee (made up of three Senators and three Representatives) announced that they had failed to pass Amendment #548 which would have lead to a complete ban on shocks and other aversives used at the Judge Rotenberg Center.

This was not a huge surprise to advocates who have seen similar proposals struck down in past years. However, a somewhat greater surprise was that the committee also failed to pass Amendment #555. Amendment #555 was seen as a compromise effort, seeking only to codify regulations passed in the previous year which prevented new students from being shocked.

Unfortunately, those seeking to know which conference committee members voted for against the amendments are likely to be disappointed, as the votes are typically kept secret. However, when challenged on the decision, Senator Jennifer Flanagan did say, "I have continued to support
the banning of this practice... In fact, the Senate passes to ban it
every year. Unfortunately, it did not make it through the Conference
Committee." One can only presume, from her remarks, that she was amongst those who voted to pass #548.

Other members of the committee include Senators Knapik and Brewer and Representatives DeMacedo, Kulik and Dempsey. You can find their contact information here.

Occupy JRC Organizer, Shain Neumeier, joined Cheryl McCollins (mother of Andre McCollins, seen shocked repeatedly in a JRC video shown on Fox News) and Greg Miller (former JRC staff) on Wednesday, June 20th at the State House in Boston to deliver Miller's petition. The petition now has over 260,000 signatures (only a small handful of thousands more than is spent on each child at JRC each year). They were particularly interested in speaking with members of the joint Conference Committee currently responsible for determining the fate of Amendment #548 which - if it survives - would require a full ban on shocks and other aversives at JRC. Miller, in fact, suggested that each committee member should be required to try out the shock device in order to be fully informed as to what it feels like before making their decision.

For a list of Conference Committee members and their contact information, click here.

The Judge Rotenberg Center is the only place in
the country to use this kind of shock treatment, and now scrutiny is
also coming from Juan Mendez, the United Nations' Special Rapporteur on
Torture.

"It raises a very
serious concern," Mendez told FOX Undercover. "The passage of
electricity through anybody's body is clearly associated with pain and
suffering. Now it depends on the level and time and whether there's any
rationale for it."

Mendez
knows well the subject of torture. He was a human rights lawyer during
Argentina's dirty way, and was himself tortured with electricity.

Mendez
is investigating after receiving a complaint from Disability Rights
International, which examines treatment of the disabled around the
world, including a 2010 report highly critical of the Judge Rotenberg
Center.

"No
it isn't," Mendez replied. "Most cases I receive are about torture in
the course of interrogations, for example, or for reasons of punishment.
But the definition I have to operate under is very clear: that any pain
and suffering inflicted on a person with the participation or
complicity of state authorities might give rise to a concern under the
(United Nations) convention against torture and therefore to a concern
under my mandate."

This story and attached e-mail exchange is from a press release recently received by Occupy JRC.

In a matter of days, a conference
committee made up of three Senators and three Representatives from the House
will decide the fate of Senate Budget Amendment #548. If they keep #548,
introduced by Senator Brian A. Joyce in May, there will be a total ban on
shocks and other aversives at the Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC).

Critics of JRC call the shocks
torture, saying that nothing justifies that sort of abuse. On the other
hand, JRC supporters say that the shocks save lives. In fact, one of the
primary defenses of JRC’s approach is that they reportedly care for children
with the most severe behavior problems in the country and only use the shock
approach where all else has failed.

So, why is Matthew Israel so quick
to recommend shocks for children who are diagnosed as bipolar, a relatively
common diagnosis these days. And, perhaps even more importantly, why is
Matthew Israel recommending anything at all, given that he is no longer
supposed to be working for JRC per a court settlement where he was accused of
destroying evidence to hide misuse of shocks with two students?

As detailed in a series of e-mails
below beginning in March of this year, a concerned mother reached out to Dr.
Israel at his JRC e-mail address in regards to her bipolar child. Dr.
Israel responded within a half hour to say that yes, indeed, the shocks could
be helpful. He did not ask any additional questions before making this
determination, but did encourage the young mother to call him to talk
further. He provided both his personal e-mail and cell phone for her to
do so. Over the course of time, Israel spoke to the mother by both phone
and e-mail, informing her that JRC can provide free lawyers to come to her
school district to fight to get her son admitted to JRC and assuring her that
there are many children ‘just like her son’ at the school. He concluded
the discourse (which ended in May) by informing her that JRC is the “best
[school] in the country and probably the world.

This exchange should serve as a high
alert to all who argue that JRC should be allowed to continue because they seek
to support only the children who are the most ‘severe’ and only to save their
lives. The Conference Committee should also consider this a red flag as
they determine the fate of Amendment #548 and whether or not this practice
should be allowed to continue.

I came across your site
'effectivetreatment.com' tonight while I was doing research for my son who was
diagnosed as bipolar when he was 6 and who has become increasingly out of
control. I am wondering if you have studied skin-shock treatment for
children with this type of problem? Forgive me if this is information
that I could have found on your effectivetreatment site. I'm just hoping
you could give me a quick answer and point me in the right direction if it is
something that I should be looking into more seriously.

Second, we have
addressed specific behaviors exhibited by people assigned diagnoses such as
mood disorder and bipolar disorder with contingent skin shock when positive
reinforcement and other behavioral procedures have been ineffective. The
following paper describes the treatment of aggression exhibited by children and
adults assigned a wide range of diagnoses (including mood disorder and bipolar
disorder):

I am so sorry I didn't
see this! (It was in my spam box which I just sorted through in search of
something else.) Since I hadn't really held much hope that you would have
time to respond to me directly, it hadn't really surprised me when I didn't get
a response. I'm wondering if it would still be ok for me to call?
Again, I'm so sorry that I didn't see your message when you first sent it.

I just wanted to thank
you again for taking the time to talk to me tonight. I'm still struggling
with so much guilt, even though I know you're right that I'm just not trained
to deal with this sort of problem. I work at a bank! What do I know
about mental health and clinical work! But it's my son, and a part of me
still feels like I'm failing him. But talking to you and hearing that
there are kids like mine at your school and that there is help for him and the
shocks and other treatment you offer can work for kids in his situation...
Well, at least it gives me a little hope, because there just isn't much of a
feeling of hope when I'm talking to the school system these days. It
really helped to hear that JRC even has lawyers who might be able to help me
with the local school system. I swear, the school acts like their job is
to fight with me and make things worse at least half the time. I'm going
to call the school as you suggested as soon as I can get a free moment (those
aren't easy to come by these days) during the day and see what my next steps
might be. I will definitely let you know what ends up happening.

You are very welcome. I retired from
JRC on June 31 of last year and am now living in California with my wife.
Please let me know how things turn out. You are not alone with this problem
. There are many other parents with the exact same problem. Have you
considered joining one of the chapters o

Oh, well, thank you
doubly for talking with me given your retirement! In terms of the Autism
Society of America... So, as I'd mentioned, my son is diagnosed as bipolar not
autistic so it doesn't sound like that would be a match for me. Just so I
understand, JRC does work with kids with bipolar, not just autism, right?

I didn't hear back from
you after this last question. I just want to make sure that I hadn't
misunderstood.. I thought on the phone you were saying that there were lots of
kids like my son at JRC (with diagnoses of bipolar) and not just autistic kids,
but then was confused by your asking if we'd joined the Autism Society.
Can you just let me know... Do kids have to be Autistic to go to JRC? I
plan on calling them to set up a tour on Tuesday.

Yes, there are lots of students at
JRC who have a bipolar diagnosis. When and if you visit there you will be able
to verify that. JRC has a near-zero rejection policy, and accepts students with
a wide variety of diagnoses. The best form of treatment for children with that
diagnosis is behavior modification and not psychotropic drugs. I thought you
might find it helpful to meet other parents with special needs children who may
have some of the same feelings and concerns that you have expressed. I don't
know of any groups for parents of bipolar children, although there must be some--even
if only online. When I suggested the autism group, I had forgotten you said
your son was bipolar. Please tell me how your call to JRC goes. Try to speak to
either Karen Lachance or Ralph Antonelli. You are very fortunate that you have
found JRC in your online research. They give more help than any other program
gives to help a parent gain admission. And their program is the best in the
country and probably in the world.

Cheryl McCollins (mother of Andre McCollins who was recently seen on Fox News being restrained and

repeatedly shocked for refusing to take off his jacket) of Brooklyn, New York created a new Anti-JRC petition on Change.org this week. The petition seeks the support of the Governor of Massachusetts and other relevant parties for Senate Budget Amendment #548 which is currently being discussed in conference committee. If it survives the full process, the Amendment would require a full ban on shocks and other aversives used at the Judge Rotenberg Center. This petition comes on the heels of one initiated by former JRC teacher, Greg Miller that is now nearing the quarter million mark in signatures.

To view and sign onto Cheryl's petition, please click here. To see other ways you can take part in letting the Conference Committee know you support Senate Budget Amendment #548, please click here.

Included in Cheryl's petition is text from a flyer developed by Greg Miller and Occupy JRC about the top misconceptions about JRC. It was distributed at the June 2nd event. View this text below.

Debunking JRC’s Top Seven Untruths:

1. Untruth: Shocks and other major aversives are only used rarely (i.e. "once per week") and only for severe behaviors.

Truth:
Based on multiple former JRC staff reports, non-verbal students are
often shocked 20 – 30 times per day with the same devices seen used on
Andre McCollins on video shown recently on Fox News and CNN. Some
students become so injured with burns and scabs all over their bodies
that they have to have their devices removed for 4 – 5 weeks to allow
their skin to heal up. JRC staff refer to these as “GED vacations”.

2. Untruth: JRC’S shock devices are approved by the FDA and therefore prove to be safe. Truth:
The shock devices used at the JRC have not been FDA approved. Only in
late May has the JRC removed that claim from their website after falsely
advertising it since 1994. They were exposed on TV by Anderson Cooper
360 (CNN). You can see the bloody scabs in the video on Change.Org.

3. Untruth: The 'behaviors' of students at the JRC are so severe that electric shocks save their lives.

Truth:
Students are reportedly shocked for minor behaviors, such as standing
out of their seat for any reason, tearing any objects including an empty
used paper cup, nagging, and swearing, as well as refusing to take off
one’s jacket as seen on TV. Children with these sorts of challenges are
not unique to the JRC. There are many alternatives that could be and
are used around the world, but most JRC staff have not had training or
experience to know otherwise.

4. Untruth: JRC’s skin shock treatment is based on scientific studies published in credible peer-review journals. Truth:
A director of research at Yale University recently appeared on CNN’s
Anderson Cooper 360 and stated that he and his partner could not find
any peer reviewed studies in any credible sources that supported the use
of JRC’s methods.

5. Untruth: JRC has always had a team of
licensed psychologists responsible for making student behavioral plans
including shock treatments.Truth: At one point, JRC was fined large
sums of money after it was discovered that many posing as psychologists
were not licensed as claimed.

6. Untruth: Judge know and approve all individual behaviors for which students are shocked. Truth:
Although a Massachusetts judge always approves the use of GED shocks
for a student, blanket permission is given which allows the JRC to
freely add and delete specific behaviors for which students are shocked
without further permission from the judge.

7. Untruth: Parents give an informed consent prior to their children being approved for shocks. Truth:
Cheryl McCollins testified that she had no idea that the JRC tortured
and abused students until she saw her son on video tied up and shocked
31 times for refusing to take off his jacket, landing her son in the
hospital for five weeks in a catatonic state. Parents may never know
that their non-verbal child was shocked for standing up to give staff a
hug, to ask to go to the bathroom, or in reaction to a student getting
shocked and screaming next to them, among many other examples of abuse
and torture for which loving parents would never give their consent.

There are less than four weeks before the Conference Committee needs to have everything wrapped up, including all proposed Amendments. That means that they'll only be spending a small fraction of that time on Amendment #548 (requiring a ban on all shocks and other aversives at the Judge Rotenberg Center) and may have made their decision on it in a MATTER OF DAYS! The Committee begins meeting on Thursday, June 7th. Time is of the essence. Please begin contacting members of the Committee NOW. We need fast and clear contact in high numbers.

Please note: When contacting Senators and Representatives, some callers are being asked 'What line item does this pertain to.' This Amendment is in an 'outside section' and does not pertain to any line item. Be sure to mention that although it is a Senate Budget Amendment, it is now being considered by Conference Committee (and thus applies to both the Senate and the House). This Amendment *IS* a budget amendment. Although that may not make intuitive sense given the subject matter, it is where it falls.

Ideas on what you can do (regardless of whether or not you live in Massachusetts):

Call each Committee Member's office (see contact information below)

E-mail each Committee Member (see contact information below)

If you are in Massachusetts, call your own Senator or Representative and ask them to support Amendment #548

If they have a Facebook page, Twitter or Website that allows you to post your urging for their support publicly, then do so!!!!!! Making your voice and urgings public for all to see can be even more powerful than private calls or letters (see contact information below)

Write a letter to the editor of your local paper to raise awareness of the issue and publicly state your support for the full ban of shocks and aversives at the Judge Rotenberg Center

Visit the websites of all media publications that have put something out about the JRC and comment about your support for the ban of shocks and aversives of JRC and your support for Amendment #548 (include links back to this and other information to help raise awareness and involvement)

Post about this issue on your Facebook page or Twitter account (include links back to this page or other information on the topic)

Go to the coverage of this issue in the Jamaica Plains Patch and vote 'yes' in favor of the ban of shocks and aversives at JRC (and let them know that you don't even think it should be up for a vote by commenting in the comments section!)

Things you might say:

You are in full support of voting for Senate Budget Amendment #548 that would require a full ban on shocks and other aversives at the Judge Rotenberg Center and is currently being considered by Conference Committee

You are aware that the United Nations has declared the aversives to be torture

Torture is a violation of human rights

You are aware that some parents of students are the Judge Rotenberg Center speak positively about the changes in their children due to shocks and other aversives. However, while torture can change behavior, it still remains torture and leads to other serious problems including traumatic responses in the individual.

Civil and human rights issues should not be up for debate, and both sides should not be considered when torture and civil rights violations are at hand.

Compromise is not acceptable when it comes to torture and civil/human rights violations. A full ban is the only acceptable option.

Share your own stories about the abuses you've experienced in the system (even if not at JRC) and how you've been impacted by restrictive and abusive practices done in the name of 'treatment'

Contact Information for the Committee:

Rep. Brian S. Dempsey

D-Haverhill

Chair, House Ways and Means
Committee

Third Essex
District,

Consisting of
all Precincts of Wards 1, 3, and 6; Precinct 3 of Ward 2; Precincts 1 and 2 of
Ward 4; and Precincts 1 and 3 of Ward 5; all in the City of Haverhill, in the
county of Essex.

Consisting of the towns of Conway,
Deerfield, Leverett, Montague, New Salem, Shutesbury, Sunderland, Wendell and
Whately in Franklin County; and Precincts A & D in the town of Belchertown
and all of Chesterfield, Goshen, Huntington, Pelham, Williamsburg and Worthington
in Hampshire County.

Today, the State House News Service made the much awaited announcement of Conference Committee members who will be responsible for deciding the fate of Amendment #548. As anticipated, the committee will include:

If #548 survives, it will require a full ban on the shocks used at the Judge Rotenberg Center. However, this committee is only one person different (Sen. Steven Baddour was in place of Flanagan) than the committee that failed to pass essentially the same amendment last year. With the new fiscal year beginning on July 1, the committee has less than four weeks to settle a variety of policy and spending differences between the House and Senate budget bills with this issue only one amongst the many.

Stay tuned for recommendations on who to contact and what to say to support this amendment's survival!

Just last month, Senator Brian A. Joyce introduced Amendment #548 to the Senate. This amendment would require a full ban on the shocks used at the Judge Rotenberg Center. The Amendment was successful and is now on its way to Conference Committee. The Committee (which will include three individuals from the Senate and three from the House of Representatives) was supposed to be named this past week, but was not. However, there has been much speculation on who will be on the committee based on the requisite formula concerning its make-up which requires two Chairs of Ways and Means, two Vice Chairs and the ranking minority members (GOP) on each committee. Speculation leads to the following best guess:

Chair of House Ways and Means: Rep. Brian Dempsey (D-Haverhill)Vice Chair of House Ways and Means: Rep. Stephen Kulik (D-Worthington)Ranking Minority Member of House Ways and Means: Rep. Viriato Manuel deMacedo (R-Plymouth)

Concerns with this potential make-up are substantial, as it is almost identical to the Conference Committee that rejected the same proposal last year. Additionally, most individuals in this group are geographically distant from Canton and the center's strongest advocate is in the House. However, working strongly in its favor is the increasing amount of attention and outcry from the press and the general public.

Senator Brian A. Joyce will be answering questions on Friday, June 1, from 11:30am to 12:30pm during a live chat with the Canton Patch at canton.patch.com. To get involved, submit your questions in advance to margaret.caroll-bergman@patch.com or go to canton.patch.com on Friday, June 1 during the chat to submit your questions live.

Senator Joyce has been an outspoken critic of the Judge Rotenberg Center and its use of aversives, including painful skin shocks. He has repeatedly referred to the center as a 'house of horrors,' and has lead initiatives to end the abusive 'treatment,' (including the current proposal of Amendment #548 banning all shock treatment at JRC). Senator Joyce will also be speaking at the Occupy JRC event on June 2nd. Click here for event details.